Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'complex' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting something that is intricate, multifaceted, and often challenging to understand. Its cultural importance is undeniable, as it permeates various aspects of our lives, from mathematics and science to psychology and sociology. Understanding the many nuances of this term can provide us with a deeper appreciation of the world around us.
Moreover, the translation of 'complex' in different languages is not only a linguistic exercise but also a cultural exploration. For instance, the Spanish translation is 'complejo,' while in French, it becomes 'complexe.' In German, it's 'komplex,' and in Japanese, it's '複雑 (fukuzatsu).' These translations not only reflect linguistic diversity but also the shared human experience of grappling with intricacy and complexity.
So, whether you're a language learner, a cultural enthusiast, or simply a curious mind, delving into the translations of 'complex' can be a rewarding journey. Let's embark on this journey together, exploring the richness of language and the beauty of cultural diversity.
Afrikaans | kompleks | ||
In Afrikaans, "kompleks" can also refer to a residential building or apartment complex. | |||
Amharic | ውስብስብ | ||
The word 'ውስብስብ' can also refer to 'intricate', 'complicated', 'elaborate', 'intriguing' and 'mysterious' in Amharic. | |||
Hausa | hadaddun | ||
Hausa word “hadaddun”, from the verb “haɗa” "to unite, bring together, synthesize”, also means “difficult, complicated”. | |||
Igbo | mgbagwoju anya | ||
The Igbo word "mgbagwoju anya" literally means "to wrap one's eyes," implying the act of looking at something with great intensity or scrutiny. | |||
Malagasy | pitsiny | ||
The word "PITSINY" in Malagasy can also refer to a type of small crab found in the coastal regions of the island. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | zovuta | ||
In Nsenga, "zovuta" means "large, great, or fat". | |||
Shona | zvakaoma | ||
The word "zvakaoma" might also refer to a place where traditional African ceremonies are held. | |||
Somali | adag | ||
"Adag" also means "complicated", "difficult", and "elaborate" in Somali. | |||
Sesotho | rarahane | ||
"Rarahane" can mean complicated, but it can also refer to an intricate maze or a complex riddle. | |||
Swahili | tata | ||
"Tata" is an onomatopoeic term referring to a complex or complicated situation. | |||
Xhosa | entsonkothileyo | ||
The term derives from the Xhosa verb ontsonkotha meaning 'to entangle'. | |||
Yoruba | eka | ||
The word "eka" in Yoruba can also refer to a "secret" or "mystery" | |||
Zulu | okuyinkimbinkimbi | ||
The word "okuyinkimbinkimbi" consists of "oku" meaning "of", "-yin-" meaning "being in a state of", "kimbinkimbi" meaning "complicated, intricate or confusing", and can therefore also mean "complicated". | |||
Bambara | gɛlɛnman | ||
Ewe | si me nu geɖe le | ||
Kinyarwanda | bigoye | ||
Lingala | ya mindondo | ||
Luganda | kikaluba | ||
Sepedi | raranego | ||
Twi (Akan) | kuntann | ||
Arabic | مركب | ||
'مركب' in Arabic can mean 'complex' but also 'riding a mount' (such as a horse or camel), or 'to be compounded' (of ingredients or substances). | |||
Hebrew | מורכב | ||
The Hebrew word "מורכב" also means "compound" in chemistry and "complex" in legal terms. | |||
Pashto | پیچلي | ||
پيچلى means "complicated" but also means "twisted" when used to describe something that is twisted, such as the stem of a plant. | |||
Arabic | مركب | ||
'مركب' in Arabic can mean 'complex' but also 'riding a mount' (such as a horse or camel), or 'to be compounded' (of ingredients or substances). |
Albanian | komplekse | ||
Komplekse derives from Latin complexus, meaning "embraced" or "intertwined". | |||
Basque | konplexua | ||
The word "konplexua" can also refer to a "set of ideas or feelings that are difficult to understand". | |||
Catalan | complex | ||
In Catalan, "complex" refers to a military or monastic establishment. | |||
Croatian | kompleks | ||
In Croatian, the word "kompleks" can also mean "residential complex" or "inferiority complex". | |||
Danish | kompleks | ||
The Danish word "kompleks" derives from the Latin "complexus", meaning "embraced" or "intertwined". | |||
Dutch | complex | ||
In Dutch, "complex" also refers to a type of apartment building, consisting of multiple residential units. | |||
English | complex | ||
The word 'complex' derives from the Latin 'complexus,' meaning 'embraced' or 'intertwined,' and encompasses meanings related to intricacy, difficulty, or a set of interconnected elements. | |||
French | complexe | ||
In French, « complexe » can also mean a large, multi-building set of apartments or offices known as a « housing complex ». | |||
Frisian | kompleks | ||
The word “kompleks” is derived from the Latin word “complexus”, meaning “embraced” or “entangled”. | |||
Galician | complexo | ||
'Complexo' in Galician also means 'set' or 'group', from Latin 'complexus', 'embrace'. | |||
German | komplex | ||
In German, "Komplex" has the added meaning of "apartment building". | |||
Icelandic | flókið | ||
"Flókið" is derived from the Old Norse word "floki", meaning "entanglement" or "knot". | |||
Irish | casta | ||
In Irish, "casta" also means "to twist" or "to bend". | |||
Italian | complesso | ||
Compresso also means 'set' or 'band' of musicians in Italian. | |||
Luxembourgish | komplex | ||
“Komplex”, en luxembourgeois, peut aussi faire référence à un bâtiment ou un groupe de bâtiments. | |||
Maltese | kumpless | ||
The Maltese word "kumpless" can also mean "complicated" or "difficult". | |||
Norwegian | komplisert | ||
The word "komplisert" is derived from the Latin word "complexus", meaning "entangled" or "folded together". | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | complexo | ||
In Portugal, 'complexo' can also mean 'group of buildings' or 'residential area', while in Brazil it can also refer to a 'shanty town'. | |||
Scots Gaelic | iom-fhillte | ||
The word "iom-fhillte" in Scots Gaelic is a compound of "iom" (many) and "fillte" (fold), and can also mean "complicated" or "difficult to understand". | |||
Spanish | complejo | ||
In Spanish, "complejo" can also refer to a group of buildings, such as an apartment or office complex, or to a psychological complex. | |||
Swedish | komplex | ||
"Komplex" in Swedish can refer to a type of housing (similar to an apartment building but larger and with less luxurious amenities) or an emotional complex that requires extensive psychoanalysis. | |||
Welsh | cymhleth | ||
The Welsh word "cymhleth" can also mean "difficult", "intricate", or "complicated". |
Belarusian | складаны | ||
The word "складаны" can also refer to a complex of buildings or structures, or a group of people with a common goal or purpose. | |||
Bosnian | kompleks | ||
In Bosnian, kompleks can also mean a residential building with multiple units | |||
Bulgarian | комплекс | ||
The word "комплекс" in Bulgarian means "complex of buildings" or "building with multiple uses". | |||
Czech | komplex | ||
In Czech, "komplex" can also mean "apartment complex" or " inferiority complex." | |||
Estonian | keeruline | ||
The word "keeruline" is derived from "keer"> "curl", and shares roots with "keerukas"> "sophisticated". | |||
Finnish | monimutkainen | ||
The word "monimutkainen" is derived from "moni" (multiple) and "mutka" (curve) in Finnish. | |||
Hungarian | összetett | ||
"Összetett" (complex) in Hungarian can also refer to "composite", "compound" or "consisting of many parts". | |||
Latvian | komplekss | ||
The word "komplekss" can also mean "set" or "group" in Latvian. | |||
Lithuanian | kompleksas | ||
The word "kompleksas" comes from the Latin word "complexus", meaning "embraced" or "intertwined". | |||
Macedonian | комплексен | ||
"Комплексен" can also mean 'composite' or 'full'. | |||
Polish | złożony | ||
The Polish word "złożony" also means "complicated". | |||
Romanian | complex | ||
In Romanian, "complex" also means "apartment building". | |||
Russian | сложный | ||
The Russian word "сложный" can mean not only "complex" but also "capable of adding" or "folded, wrinkled". | |||
Serbian | комплекс | ||
In Serbian, комплекс (kompleks) derives from the Latin complexus (meaning "embrace" or "connection") and can also mean "set" or "group". | |||
Slovak | zložité | ||
"Zložité" (complex) comes from the verb "zložiť" (to fold), so it originally meant something that is folded or tangled. | |||
Slovenian | zapleteno | ||
In Croatian, "zapleteno" can also mean "intricate", "difficult to understand", or "devious". | |||
Ukrainian | складний | ||
The word "складний" also has the alternate meaning of "folding" or "collapsible" in Ukrainian. |
Bengali | জটিল | ||
জটিল শব্দটির ব্যুৎপত্তিগত অর্থ 'আবদ্ধ করা' এবং ইহা 'পেঁচানো' অর্থেও ব্যবহৃত হয়। | |||
Gujarati | જટિલ | ||
The word "જટિલ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "जटिल," and originally meant "knotted" or "entangled" and could be used to mean "complicated" or even "matted hair" | |||
Hindi | जटिल | ||
In Hindi, "जटिल" can also mean "braided hair" or "a knotty problem". | |||
Kannada | ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣ | ||
The word "ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣ" is also used in Kannada to refer to a musical composition with a complex rhythmic structure. | |||
Malayalam | സങ്കീർണ്ണമായത് | ||
In Malayalam, 'സങ്കീർണ്ണമായത്' derives from the Sanskrit 'samkirna' meaning 'mixed or composite' and can also refer to something 'detailed' or 'intricate'. | |||
Marathi | जटिल | ||
It is cognate to the Sanskrit word "जटिल" meaning 'matted hair,' 'entangled,' or 'complicated'. | |||
Nepali | जटिल | ||
‘जटिल’ का शाब्दिक अर्थ है ‘जो उलझा हुआ’ या ‘गुंथा हुआ’ है। | |||
Punjabi | ਗੁੰਝਲਦਾਰ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සංකීර්ණ | ||
The word "සංකීර්ණ" ("complex") in Sinhala (Sinhalese) is derived from the Sanskrit word "संकीर्ण" ("saṅkīrṇa"), meaning "narrow" or "confined". | |||
Tamil | சிக்கலான | ||
"சிக்கலான" also means 'perplexed', 'confused', 'entangled' and 'complicated' in Tamil. | |||
Telugu | క్లిష్టమైన | ||
The word 'క్లిష్టమైన' (complex) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'क्लिष्ट' (kliṣṭa), meaning 'difficult' or 'entangled'. | |||
Urdu | پیچیدہ | ||
پیچیدہ is a Farsi word derived from |
Chinese (Simplified) | 复杂 | ||
The Chinese word "复杂" can also mean "complicated" or "intricate". | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 複雜 | ||
「複」字從「畐」從「冓」,「畐」為「覆」之省,「冓」為「會」之省,本義為覆會、包裹,引申指包含、繁雜、多層次。 | |||
Japanese | 繁雑 | ||
"繁" means "to become complicated," and "雑" means "miscellaneous," so "繁雑" means "to become complicated with many things." | |||
Korean | 복잡한 | ||
복잡한 originally meant 'to be intricate' but now commonly means 'complicated'. | |||
Mongolian | цогцолбор | ||
The Mongolian word "цогцолбор" is derived from the verb "цогцолх," which means "to gather" or "to assemble." | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ရှုပ်ထွေးသော | ||
Indonesian | kompleks | ||
In Indonesian, "kompleks" is derived from Dutch and also means residential housing or dormitory area. | |||
Javanese | komplek | ||
The Javanese word "komplek" can also refer to a residential area or neighborhood. | |||
Khmer | ស្មុគស្មាញ | ||
Lao | ສັບສົນ | ||
Malay | kompleks | ||
The Malay word "kompleks" also means "housing complex". | |||
Thai | ซับซ้อน | ||
In Thai, "ซับซ้อน", or "sap-sap-pawn" can also mean "compounded" or "intricate". | |||
Vietnamese | phức tạp | ||
The term "phức tạp" is derived from the Chinese characters "复杂", which literally means "entangled" or "interwoven". | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | kumplikado | ||
Azerbaijani | kompleks | ||
"Kompleks" also means "apartment building" in Azerbaijani. | |||
Kazakh | күрделі | ||
Күрделі (complex) also means 'difficult to understand', 'intricate', 'unclear' or 'obscure' in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | татаал | ||
The Kyrgyz word "татаал" also means "unclear," "complicated," or "difficult." | |||
Tajik | мураккаб | ||
The word "мураккаб" also refers to a type of Persian miniature that is composed of several individual paintings. | |||
Turkmen | çylşyrymly | ||
Uzbek | murakkab | ||
The word "murakkab" can also refer to a "compound word", a single word formed from multiple smaller words. | |||
Uyghur | مۇرەككەپ | ||
Hawaiian | paʻakikī | ||
The term “paʻakikī” also signifies “intricate, abstruse, obscure, enigmatic, mysterious, perplexing, and sophisticated in Hawaiian. | |||
Maori | matatini | ||
The word "matatini" can also refer to a type of performance art involving synchronized movements and poi.} | |||
Samoan | faigata | ||
The word 'faigata' in Samoan is sometimes used to describe something that is intricate or detailed. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | kumplikado | ||
The Tagalog word "kumplikado" is derived from the Spanish word "complicado", meaning "complicated". |
Aymara | ch'ama | ||
Guarani | hypy'ũ | ||
Esperanto | kompleksa | ||
"Kompleksa" in Esperanto has two meanings: the common meaning of "complex," but also "complicated." | |||
Latin | complex | ||
In Latin, "complex" (complexus) means "embraced" or "intertwined." |
Greek | συγκρότημα | ||
The word "συγκρότημα" in Greek can also refer to a group of people or things, such as a musical band or a group of buildings. | |||
Hmong | complex | ||
The Hmong word "complex" (tooj) also means "hard to understand" or "complicated." | |||
Kurdish | tevlihev | ||
The Kurdish word "tevlihev" is derived from the Arabic word "talwih", which means "to confuse or complicate". | |||
Turkish | karmaşık | ||
The Turkish word "karmaşık" shares its root with "karma", meaning "fate" or "destiny". | |||
Xhosa | entsonkothileyo | ||
The term derives from the Xhosa verb ontsonkotha meaning 'to entangle'. | |||
Yiddish | קאָמפּלעקס | ||
The Yiddish word "קאָמפּלעקס" (komplex) can also refer to a "physical disability" or "birth defect". | |||
Zulu | okuyinkimbinkimbi | ||
The word "okuyinkimbinkimbi" consists of "oku" meaning "of", "-yin-" meaning "being in a state of", "kimbinkimbi" meaning "complicated, intricate or confusing", and can therefore also mean "complicated". | |||
Assamese | জটিল | ||
Aymara | ch'ama | ||
Bhojpuri | जटिल | ||
Dhivehi | އުނދަގޫ | ||
Dogri | मुश्कल | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | kumplikado | ||
Guarani | hypy'ũ | ||
Ilocano | komplikado | ||
Krio | at | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ئاڵۆز | ||
Maithili | जटिल | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯂꯨꯕ | ||
Mizo | chipchiar | ||
Oromo | walxaxaa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଜଟିଳ | ||
Quechua | sasa | ||
Sanskrit | जटिल | ||
Tatar | катлаулы | ||
Tigrinya | ሕውስዋስ | ||
Tsonga | bohana | ||